After dropping the opener, the Chattanooga Lookouts evened the Knoxville Smokies' final home series of the regular season with a 5-1 win Sept. 2 at Covenant Health Park.
With the Smokies clinging to a one-run lead in the seventh inning, Lookouts center fielder Austin Hendrick blasted a three-run home run off reliever Marino Santy. It gave the Lookouts their first lead of the series and ruined five scoreless innings from Knoxville starter Brody McCullough.
The Smokies' offense offered little support, managing just four hits and a lone first-inning run.
"It's just a good job by their pitching staff of holding us at bay," Smokies manager Lance Rymel told Knox News. "Just didn't get much going offensively tonight."
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A leadoff triple by Smokies center fielder Kane Kepley put Knoxville in position to score first in the opening frame. The game remained quiet until the fifth inning, when Chattanooga manager Jose Moreno was ejected after a second heated exchange with the umpiring crew.
Smokies player of the game, top moments: Wednesday, Sept. 2
Player of the game: Right-handed pitcher Brody McCullough pitched five scoreless frames, striking out 10 batters without surrendering a walk. The Lookouts recorded just two hits off McCullough, who was tagged with a no-decision. "What he did tonight, that was pretty impressive," Rymel said. "Very dominant performance from Brody today."
- Honoring Jarrod Kingrey: The Smokies honored former reliever Jarrod Kingrey, who died in August, with a pregame moment of silence and video tribute. Kingrey recorded 27 saves in 2001 to set a new Smokies record.
- More ejections: Four of the past six homestands have featured an ejection. But for the first time, it was a member of the opposing team getting tossed.
Upcoming games, promotions at Covenant Health Park
Knoxville is tied 1-1 in the series after Wednesday's loss. Here are the remaining promotions at Covenant Health Park while the Lookouts are in town:
- 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3: Thirsty Thursday (half-price draft beer), Knox Vegas (themed jerseys), College Night ($10 tickets for college students)
- 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4: Chick-fil-A Friday (two tickets and two coupons for $48), Feel-Good Friday, Knoxville Ice Bears Night in collaboration with Vols of Honor
- 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5: Fan Appreciation Night, Summer Fireworks Series
- 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6: No promotions scheduled
Smokies record in Southern League North
The Smokies have already clinched a playoff spot by capturing the first-half title and are in second place in the Southern League North.
Southern League North standings
- Rocket City Trash Pandas (31-27 second half, 66-60 overall)
- Knoxville Smokies (30-28 second half, 68-59 overall)
- Birmingham Barons (29-29 second half, 55-72 overall)
- Chattanooga Lookouts (20-39 second half, 57-71 overall)
Southern League South standings
- Pensacola Blue Wahoos (37-21 second half, 73-54 overall)
- Columbus Clingstones (32-27 second half, 61-62 overall)
- Montgomery Biscuits (29-29 second half, 64-63 overall)
- Biloxi Shuckers (25-33 second half, 60-63 overall)
** Records reflect the standings as of 10 p.m. Sept. 2.
Trevor McGee covers the Knoxville Smokies and One Knox SC for Knox News. Email: trevor.mcgee@knoxnews.com; X: @TrevorMcGee12
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Lookouts even Smokies' final home series with late homer in Knoxville
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